This nutrient is essential during pregnancy for baby’s brain development, says French biochemist

Choline forms your baby’s brain and brain cells, and today 90% of pregnant mothers don’t get enough. (Picture Credit: Pexels)

For pregnant women, nutrition plays a key role in a baby’s development and overall health. Hence, it is important for them to focus on eating the right foods that provide all the essential nutrients. Taking it further, French biochemist Jessie Inchauspé shared the importance of choline in an expecting mother’s diet and its link to her baby’s brain development.

Importance of choline during pregnancy

In her YouTube video, she explained, “Choline forms your baby’s brain and brain cells, and today 90% of pregnant mothers don’t get enough. So much so that the American Academy of Paediatrics has stated that failure to provide choline during this critical period of brain development, basically pregnancy and in the first two years after birth, may result in lifelong deficits in brain function despite subsequent nutrient repletion.”

Hence, getting enough choline in the womb is essential, as it has a significant impact on the baby’s brain formation. This has been backed by studies, which Jessie shared in a short video on her Instagram account. Here’s what she revealed.

What studies say

Study 1

The first study, from Cornell University, split women into two groups: one received 480 mg and the other received 930 mg of choline per day in the third trimester. Babies were then tested at 4, 7, 10, and 13 months.

Also read: Prada's safety pin with a modest brooch is priced at Rs 69,000; Will you buy?

The results

The higher-choline group had a 20% faster reaction time to the images shown to them on a screen, a marker linked to higher IQ in adulthood.

At 7 years old, the children were assessed again, and those in the higher-choline group once again scored better on memory and attention tasks.

Jessie said, “This study suggests that more choline during pregnancy creates a more optimal environment for the brain to be formed in, as measured years later.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jessie Inchauspé (@glucosegoddess)

Study 2

In another clinical study conducted by the University of Colorado, pregnant mothers were split into two groups. One group received 900 mg of choline in a supplement every day from the beginning of the second trimester to the first three months of their baby’s life. The other group received a placebo (which looked like a choline supplement but didn’t actually contain anything) every day from the second trimester.

The results

At one and three months old, the choline group had healthier brain patterns linked to a lower risk of ADHD and schizophrenia. In the choline group at age 3 years old, the parents reported that their kids had better emotional regulation and behaviour.

Sources of choline

Jessie shared that choline is present in beef liver, chicken liver, eggs, salmon, chicken, and, to a much lesser extent, in plant foods such as broccoli and soybeans.

Also read: Man donated his sperm with cancer-causing gene to conceive over 200 children; Here's what happened next

How much do pregnant women need?

She said, “450 mg per day is the bare minimum during pregnancy. Clinical impact shows that if you get more than that, you see an impact on your baby’s outcomes.”

FAQs on importance of choline for pregnant women:

Q1. What is choline and why is it important during pregnancy?

Choline is an essential nutrient that supports cell structure and brain development. During pregnancy, it plays a vital role in the baby’s growth, especially in the development of the brain and nervous system.

Q2. How does choline support a baby’s brain development?

Choline helps in the formation of brain cells and neurotransmitters, which are crucial for memory, learning and cognitive function later in life.

Q3. Can choline help prevent birth defects?

Adequate choline intake during pregnancy is linked to a reduced risk of neural tube defects and supports proper development of the spinal cord and brain.

Q4. Why is choline important for the mother’s health?

Choline supports liver function, helps regulate fat metabolism and may reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia.

Q5. Does choline play a role in placenta function?

Yes. Choline contributes to healthy placental development, which is essential for nutrient delivery and oxygen supply to the growing baby.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.